Congress increases H-2B visas in 2016

I was disappointed to see Congress expand the H-2B program for 2016 in the recent spending bill. This program is rife with fraud and abuse and allows low-skilled foreign workers to take jobs that could be taken by America’s most vulnerable workers. I urge you not to increase the number of H-2B visas in future years. Congress’ expansion of the H-2B program in the recent spending bill will allow any foreign workers who have held an H-2B visa over the last three years to be exempt from the 2016 caps. This is a gift to the business community who would rather hire cheap, foreign labor than hire unemployed Americans. The latest jobs report revealed that nearly 3 million Americans with a high school degree or less are looking for work. These vulnerable workers need jobs — jobs that companies would rather give to foreign workers through use of the H-2B visa. Furthermore, the unemployment rate for teens sits at 16.1% — more than three times the national average. Traditionally, jobs that are now being given to H-2B visa holders have gone to teens, so their high unemployment rate comes as no surprise. You were elected to help American workers get back to work not help foreign workers find jobs in the U.S. and big business drive down wages by hiring cheaper, foreign workers. I urge you to oppose any future increases in the H-2B guest worker program.

Greg Raven, Apple Valley, CA

Congress needs to address Cuban immigration, support bill to end special status

We are appalled that Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Mexico can get away with striking an immigration deal that will increase the number of people trying to enter the U.S. illegally! The just-signed agreement allows Costa Rica to fly Cuban illegal aliens to El Salvador, where they will be bused to Mexico. This is absurd and will only encourage more economic migrants from Cuba to try to come to the U.S. illegally. Rep. Paul Gosar’s Ending Special National Origin-Based Immigration Programs for Cubans Act of 2015, H.R. 3818, would scrap the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966 and the “wet foot/dry foot” policy that applies to Cubans entering the country illegally. We hope you will support this legislation. Continue reading “Congress needs to address Cuban immigration, support bill to end special status”